MicroSim Generator

Overview

This meta-skill routes MicroSim creation requests to the appropriate specialized generator based on visualization requirements. It consolidates 14 individual MicroSim generator skills into a single entry point with on-demand loading of specific implementation guides.

Five Python batch utilities in src/microsim-utils/ automate the repetitive parts of MicroSim generation (parsing specs, scaffolding files, inserting iframes, validating quality, updating navigation), saving ~430K tokens per batch run. The agent's creative work is focused on writing the .js file.

Default Sequential Execution

When the microsim generator skill us used on all of the #### Diagram elements of a chapter, always run the microsim generator tasks sequentially unless the user specifically uses the phrase "execute in parallel".

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when users request:

• Interactive educational visualizations
• Data visualizations (charts, graphs, plots)
• Timelines or chronological displays
• Geographic/map visualizations
• Network diagrams or concept maps
• Flowcharts or workflow diagrams
• Mathematical function plots
• Set diagrams (Venn)
• Priority matrices or bubble charts
• Custom simulations or animations
• Comparison tables with ratings
• Matrix comparisons with expandable cell details
• Batch generation of MicroSims for a chapter

Step 0: Environment Setup

Before any generation work, establish paths and determine scope.

0.1 Set Paths

# Python utilities live in the claude-skills repo
UTILS="$HOME/Documents/ws/claude-skills/src/microsim-utils"

# Detect project root (directory containing mkdocs.yml)
PROJECT=$(python3 -c "
import os, sys
d = os.path.abspath('.')
while d != os.path.dirname(d):
    if os.path.isfile(os.path.join(d, 'mkdocs.yml')): print(d); sys.exit()
    d = os.path.dirname(d)
print('ERROR: mkdocs.yml not found', file=sys.stderr); sys.exit(1)
")

If the scripts are not found at $UTILS, check for them in the project's own src/microsim-utils/ directory.

0.2 Determine Scope

Step 1: Extract Specs from Chapter (Batch Route)

MANDATORY for chapter-level generation. Do NOT manually parse chapter markdown.

python3 $UTILS/extract-sim-specs.py \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --chapter <chapter-dir-name> \
    --output /tmp/ch-specs.json \
    --status-file /tmp/sim-status.json \
    --verbose

What this does:

• Parses all #### Diagram: and #### Drawing: headers from the chapter's index.md
• Extracts <details> block content, iframe paths, sim IDs, Bloom levels, and library hints
• Produces a JSON array of spec objects (one per sim)
• Generates a sim-status.json with lifecycle states: specified → scaffolded → implemented → validated → deployed

Read the output:

cat /tmp/ch-specs.json | python3 -m json.tool | head -60

Check the status file to see which sims need work:

python3 -c "
import json
with open('/tmp/sim-status.json') as f:
    for e in json.load(f):
        if e['status'] != 'deployed':
            print(f\"  {e['status']:12s}  {e['sim_id']}\")
"

After extracting, proceed to Step 2.

Step 1B: Single-Sim Shortcut

For a single MicroSim request (not a full chapter batch):

1. Write a 1-entry spec JSON manually:

cat > /tmp/ch-specs.json << 'EOF'
[{
    "sim_id": "inscribed-angle-theorem",
    "title": "Central vs Inscribed Angles Interactive",
    "summary": "Demonstrates the inscribed angle theorem",
    "heading_type": "Diagram",
    "chapter": "",
    "element_type": "microsim",
    "bloom_level": "Analyze",
    "library": "p5.js",
    "iframe_src": "",
    "iframe_height": "",
    "spec_text": "",
    "status": ""
}]
EOF

2. Run scaffold for just that sim:

python3 $UTILS/generate-sim-scaffold.py \
    --spec-file /tmp/ch-specs.json \
    --sim-id inscribed-angle-theorem \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --verbose

3. Jump to Step 3 (Instructional Design Checkpoint), then Step 4 (Implement .js).

Step 2: Scaffold Sim Directories

MANDATORY for batch generation. Do NOT manually create main.html, index.md, or metadata.json.

python3 $UTILS/generate-sim-scaffold.py \
    --spec-file /tmp/ch-specs.json \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --verbose

What this does:

• Creates docs/sims/<sim-id>/ directory for each spec
• Generates main.html with correct CDN links, <main> tag, and schema meta tag
• Generates index.md with frontmatter, iframe embed, fullscreen link, lesson plan skeleton
• Generates metadata.json with Dublin Core fields and educational metadata
• Skips directories that already exist (unless --force is used)

Using --force for partially-built sims:

When sim directories exist (with main.html + .js) but lack index.md or metadata.json, the scaffold script skips the entire directory by default. Use --force to regenerate all scaffold files. This is safe because the creative work lives in the .js file, which the scaffold never overwrites.

python3 $UTILS/generate-sim-scaffold.py \
    --spec-file /tmp/ch-specs.json \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --force \
    --verbose

After scaffolding, the agent ONLY writes .js files from here on.

Step 3: Instructional Design Checkpoint (MANDATORY)

Before writing any .js file, you MUST complete this checkpoint.

3.1 Identify Learning Objective Details

Extract from the specification:

• Bloom Level: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, or Create
• Bloom Verb: The action verb (explain, demonstrate, calculate, etc.)
• Learning Objective: The full statement of what learners will be able to do

3.2 Match Interaction Pattern to Bloom Level

3.3 Answer These Questions

Before proceeding, answer these questions:

1. What specific data must the learner SEE?

   • Not "animated particles" but "the tokenized array ['physics', 'ball']"

2. Does the learner need to PREDICT before observing?

   • If YES → Use step-through with Next/Previous buttons
   • If YES → Do NOT use continuous animation

3. What does animation add that static arrows don't?

   • If you can't answer this clearly → Don't use animation

4. Is continuous animation appropriate for this Bloom level?

   • For Understand (L2) with verb "explain" → Almost always NO
   • For Apply (L3) with real-time feedback → Often YES

3.4 Modify Specification If Needed

If the specification requests animation/effects for an UNDERSTAND level objective:

• Flag this as a potential instructional design issue
• Recommend step-through pattern instead
• Ask user: "The specification requests animation, but for an 'explain' objective, a step-through approach with concrete data visibility typically supports learning better. Should I proceed with step-through instead?"

3.5 Document Your Decision

Add to your response:

Instructional Design Check:
- Bloom Level: [level]
- Bloom Verb: [verb]
- Recommended Pattern: [pattern]
- Specification Alignment: [aligned/modified]
- Rationale: [why this pattern supports the learning objective]

Step 4: Implement .js Files

This is where the agent's creative work happens. For each sim that needs implementation:

4.1 Analyze Request and Match Generator

Scan the spec for trigger keywords and match to the appropriate generator guide.

Quick Reference Routing Table

Decision Tree

Has dates/timeline/chronological events?
  → YES: timeline-guide.md

Has geographic coordinates/locations?
  → YES: map-guide.md

Mathematical function f(x) or equation?
  → YES: plotly-guide.md

Nodes and edges/network relationships?
  → YES: vis-network-guide.md (or causal-loop-guide.md if systems thinking)

Flowchart/workflow/process diagram?
  → YES: mermaid-guide.md

Sets with overlaps (2-4 categories)?
  → YES: venn-guide.md

Priority matrix/2x2 quadrant/multi-dimensional?
  → YES: bubble-guide.md

Standard chart (bar/line/pie/radar)?
  → YES: chartjs-guide.md

Comparison table with ratings/stars?
  → YES: comparison-table-guide.md

Matrix comparison with clickable cells/detail panels?
  → YES: html-table.md

Celebration/particles/visual feedback?
  → YES: celebration-guide.md

Custom simulation/animation/physics?
  → YES: p5-guide.md

4.2 Load the Matched Guide

Read the corresponding guide file from the references/ directory and follow its workflow for writing the .js file.

4.3 Write ONLY the .js File

The scaffold (Step 2) already created main.html, index.md, and metadata.json. You only need to write docs/sims/<sim-id>/<sim-id>.js.

Each guide contains:

1. Library-specific requirements
2. Code templates and patterns
3. Best practices for that visualization type

4.4 Handling Ambiguous Requests

If the request could match multiple generators:

1. Read references/routing-criteria.md for detailed scoring methodology
2. Score top 3 candidates using the 0-100 scale
3. Present options to user with reasoning:

   Based on your request, I recommend:
   1. [Generator A] (Score: 85) - Best for [reason]
   2. [Generator B] (Score: 70) - Alternative if you need [feature]
   3. [Generator C] (Score: 55) - Possible if [condition]
   
   Which would you prefer?
   

4. Proceed with user's selection

Common Ambiguities

Step 5: Fix Chapter Iframes

MANDATORY for batch generation. Do NOT manually insert or edit iframes in chapter markdown.

python3 $UTILS/add-iframes-to-chapter.py \
    --chapter <chapter-dir-name> \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --fix-heights \
    --fix-paths \
    --verbose

What this does:

• Finds #### Diagram: / #### Drawing: headers that are missing iframe embeds
• Inserts <iframe> tags before the <details> block with correct relative paths
• --fix-heights: Parses .js files to detect createCanvas() height and sets iframe height to canvas height + 2px
• --fix-paths: Converts absolute paths (/sims/...) to relative (../../sims/...)
• Fixes height typos (500xp → 500px)

For all chapters at once:

python3 $UTILS/add-iframes-to-chapter.py \
    --all \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --fix-heights \
    --fix-paths \
    --verbose

Dry-run first to preview changes:

python3 $UTILS/add-iframes-to-chapter.py \
    --chapter <chapter-dir-name> \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --fix-heights --fix-paths \
    --dry-run --verbose

Step 6: Validate Quality

MANDATORY after implementing .js files. Do NOT rely on a manual checklist.

python3 $UTILS/validate-sims.py \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --format table \
    --verbose

What this does:

Scores each MicroSim on a 100-point rubric:

Grade scale: A (85+), B (70-84), C (50-69), D (<50)

Validate a single sim:

python3 $UTILS/validate-sims.py \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --sim <sim-id> \
    --verbose

Fix issues found, then re-validate to confirm improvements:

# After fixing issues...
python3 $UTILS/validate-sims.py \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --min-score 0 \
    --format table \
    --verbose

Step 7: Update Navigation

MANDATORY after creating new sims. Do NOT manually edit the MicroSims section of mkdocs.yml.

python3 $UTILS/update-mkdocs-nav.py \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --verbose

What this does:

• Scans docs/sims/ for directories containing index.md
• Extracts display titles from frontmatter or # Heading
• Replaces the entire - MicroSims: section in mkdocs.yml with an alphabetically sorted list
• Idempotent and safe to run multiple times

Dry-run first:

python3 $UTILS/update-mkdocs-nav.py \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --dry-run --verbose

Step 8: Generate a Screen Image of the MicroSim

A screen image of the microsim is needed for the /doc/sims/index.md file which provides a list of all the MicroSims in the textbook.

A unix shell script is use to get a screen image of the MicroSim. This shell script runs Google Chrome headless and creates a 800px wide image where the height of the screen image is determined by the iframe height.

The screen capture shell scrip is installed in ~/.local/bin/bk-capture-screenshot as a symbolic link to the $BK_HOME/scripts/bk-capture-screenshot program

bk-capture-screenshot has 3 command line parameters:

$1 MicroSim directory path (default: current directory) $2 Delay in seconds for JS rendering (default: 3) $3 Target image height in pixels (default: 600)

Tip: use the iframe height from the MicroSim's index.md file to get the correct height.

Sample Usage:

bk-capture-screenshot /path/to/microsim 3 700    # 3 second delay, 700px height

Output:

Creates <microsim-name>.png in the MicroSim directory that is typically around 50K bytes.

Workflow Summary

Batch (Chapter-Level) Generation

Step 0: Set UTILS and PROJECT paths
  ↓
Step 1: extract-sim-specs.py → /tmp/ch-specs.json
  ↓
Step 2: generate-sim-scaffold.py → creates main.html, index.md, metadata.json
  ↓
Step 3: Instructional Design Checkpoint (per sim)
  ↓
Step 4: Write .js files (creative work — route to guide, implement)
  ↓
Step 5: add-iframes-to-chapter.py → inserts/fixes iframes
  ↓
Step 6: validate-sims.py → scores quality, fix issues
  ↓
Step 7: update-mkdocs-nav.py → regenerates nav
  ↓
Step 8: bk-capture-screenshot /path/to/microsim 3 {height} → creates screen image

Single Sim Generation

Step 0:  Set UTILS and PROJECT paths
  ↓
Step 1B: Write 1-entry spec JSON + scaffold
  ↓
Step 3:  Instructional Design Checkpoint
  ↓
Step 4:  Write .js file
  ↓
Step 6:  validate-sims.py --sim <name>
  ↓
Step 7:  update-mkdocs-nav.py
  ↓
Step 8:  bk-capture-screenshot /path/to/microsim 3 {height} → creates screen image

Resuming After Context Window Fills

When a batch run fills the context window mid-chapter:

1. The new session reads sim-status.json to see what's done
2. Sims in implemented or later status are skipped
3. Sims in specified or scaffolded status still need .js files

# Check where we left off
python3 $UTILS/extract-sim-specs.py \
    --project-dir $PROJECT \
    --chapter <chapter-dir-name> \
    --status-file /tmp/sim-status.json \
    --verbose

Available Generators

Primary Generators

Shared Standards

All MicroSims follow these standards regardless of generator:

Directory Structure:

docs/sims/<microsim-name>/
├── main.html       # Main visualization file
├── index.md        # Documentation page
├── *.js or *.css   # Supporting files
└── metadata.json   # Dublin Core metadata (optional)

URI Scheme for Discoverability:

All MicroSim HTML files MUST include this schema meta tag for global discoverability:

<meta name="schema" content="https://dmccreary.github.io/intelligent-textbooks/ns/microsim/v1">

This enables counting and discovery of MicroSims across GitHub using code search. See the URI Scheme documentation for details.

Integration:

• Embedded via iframe in MkDocs pages
• Width-responsive design
• Non-scrolling iframe container
• Standard height: drawHeight + controlHeight + 2px
• Prevent scroll hijacking:
  • Keep chapter iframes non-scrolling: scrolling="no"
  • Do not consume page wheel-scroll by default inside sims (for example, set Leaflet scrollWheelZoom: false unless explicitly requested)
• Iframe paths MUST always be relative, NEVER absolute:
  • From a sim's own index.md: <iframe src="main.html" ...>
  • From chapter files (docs/chapters/*/index.md): <iframe src="../../sims/[sim-name]/main.html" ...>
  • NEVER use absolute paths like /sims/... — they break on GitHub Pages where the site is served under a subdirectory (e.g., /geometry-course/)

Quality Checklist:

• Runs without errors in modern browsers
• Responsive to container width
• Controls respond immediately
• Does not hijack page scrolling when embedded in an iframe
• Educational purpose is clear
• Code is well-commented

Examples

Example 1: Timeline Request

User: "Create a timeline showing key events in computer history" Routing: Keywords "timeline", "events", "history" → references/timeline-guide.md Action: Read timeline-guide.md and follow its workflow

Example 2: Chart Request

User: "Make a bar chart comparing programming language popularity" Routing: Keywords "bar chart", "comparing" → references/chartjs-guide.md Action: Read chartjs-guide.md and follow its workflow

Example 3: Custom Simulation

User: "Build an interactive bouncing ball simulation" Routing: Keywords "interactive", "bouncing", "simulation" → references/p5-guide.md Action: Read p5-guide.md and follow its workflow

Example 4: Ambiguous Request

User: "Create a graph of our project dependencies" Routing: "graph" + "dependencies" suggests network → references/vis-network-guide.md Action: Read vis-network-guide.md (but clarify if user meant a chart)

Example 5: Chapter Batch

User: "Generate MicroSims for chapter 11" Action: Step 0 → Step 1 → Step 2 → Step 3-4 (loop per sim) → Step 5 → Step 6 → Step 7

Reference Files

For detailed information, consult:

• references/routing-criteria.md - Complete scoring methodology for all generators
• references/<generator>-guide.md - Specific implementation guide for each generator
• assets/templates/ - Shared templates and patterns

sim-status.json Lifecycle

The extract-sim-specs.py --status-file flag generates a lifecycle tracking file. States progress as: